Garment hanger



Aug. 21, 1962 D. D. CATES GARMENT HANGER Filed May 5, 1960 5 SheetsSheet 1 Fig. 2

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United States Patent Ofiice 3,050,222 Patented Aug. 21, 1962 3,050,222 GARMENT HANGER Daflord D. Cates, 1042 Lewis St., Pomona, Calif. Filed May 5, 1960, Ser. No. 27,138 Claims. (Cl. 223-96) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in garment hangers of the spring actuated jaw type particularly, although not necessarily, for trousers, skirts, etc. and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a hanger of this character comprising novel means for releasably locking the jaws in open position, ready to receive the garment or other article.

Another very important object of the present invention is to provide an improved hanger of the aforementioned character wherein the act of inserting the garment automatically releases the jaws, thus permitting both hands to be used for handling and positioning said garment.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a garment hanger of the character set forth which is adapted to accommodate coats, waists and the like as well as trousers, skirts, etc.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a garment hanger embodying novel means for suspending the device from a rod or other support whereby unauthorized removal will be prevented.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a garment hanger of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, showing a garment hanger embodying the present invention with the jaws open and the cuffs of a pair of trousers being inserted therebetween;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary View in side elevation, showing the jaws closed on the cuifs of a pair of trousers;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view in side elevation, showing the jaws in open position;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a detail view in transverse section, taken substantially on the line 5--5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGUREv 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention, showing the jaws closed on the cuffs of a pair of trousers;

FIGURE 7 is a view in side elevation of the modification of FIGURE 6, showing the jaws open for the reception of the garment;

FIGURE 8 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a view in transverse section on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the line 99 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 10 is a perspective View of another modification;

FIGURE 11 is a view in side elevation of the modification of FIGURE 10, showing the jaws closed on the cuffs of a pair of trousers;

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of an embodiment of the invention which is adapted to accommodate a coat or the like;

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary view showing a modification of the embodiment of FIGURE 12; and

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary view, showing another modification of the embodiment of FIGURE 12.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and to FIG URES 1 to 5, inclusive, thereof in particular, it will be seen that the reference character 15 designates generally a substantially inverted V-shaped hanger of suitable resilient metal. The hanger 15 includes a generally inverted V-shaped spring 16 comprising downwardly divergent legs 17 on the ends of a connecting coil 18. The legs 17 include inturned portions providing arms 19 which terminate in downturned free end portions 2%) having fixed thereon horizontally elongated jaws 21 which are adapted to receive and grip therebetween the garment to be hung as indicated at 22. The faces of the jaws 21 are provided with pads 23 of felt or other suitable ma terial. A suspension hook 24 is secured by a clip or the like 25 on the coil 18. The hook 24 is engageable over a rod or other support 26 for removably mounting the hanger thereon.

As shown to advantage in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the arms 19 of the spring 16 parallel each other when the jaws 21 are in open position. Fixed on each of the arms 19, adjacent the downturned end portion 20 thereof, is a substantially J-shaped guide 27 in which the other arm is slidably engaged. The guides 27 prevent the arms 19 from spreading or separating. The guides 27 also function as mounting brackets for a toggle 28 which releasably secures the jaws 21 in open position. The toggle 28 includes links 29 and 30 having their outer ends pivotally secured at 31 on the guides 27. The other end portions of the links 29 and 30 are pivotally connected as indicated at 32 to provide the knee of the toggle 28. From the knee 32 the link 29 comprises an extension which is bent to form a trigger 33 which, when the hanger is open or set, extends downwardly between the jaws 21 in the path of the garment being inserted for engagement and actuation thereby.

It is thought that the use of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, when a garment is to be inserted in the hanger, the legs 17 of the spring 16 are squeezed together thus opening the jaws 21. When this occurs the toggle 28 drops by gravity to operative position as shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawings with the assistance of a spring 34 which is engaged with the link 29. When the garment 22 is inserted upwardly between the jaws 21 in the usual manner the trigger 33 is engaged and moved upwardly thereby thus breaking the toggle 28. The spring 16, thus released, opens or expands for closing the jaws 21 on the garment. This is shown to advantage in FIGURE 2 of the drawings.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 6 to 9, inclusive, of the drawings, reference character 35 designates generally a resilient hanger. The hanger 35 is substantially similar to the hanger 15 in that it comprises a generally inverted V-shaped spring 36 including downwardly divergent legs 37 on the ends of a coil 38. The legs 37 comprise inturned lower portions providing arms 39 which terminate in downturned free end portions 40 having fixed thereon opposed jaws 41. A ring 43 is mounted in the coil 38 for suspending the hanger 35 from a rod 44 or other suitable support. The ring 43 prevents unauthorized removal of the garment hanger from the support 44.

Fixed on one of the arms 39 is a substantially J-shaped guide 45 which is substantially similar to the elements 27 and in which the other of said arms 39 is slidably engaged. The guide 45 prevents the arms 39 from spreading or separating.

Fixed on the guide 45 is a lug, pin or catch 46. The elements 45 and 46 are mounted on the arm 39 of one of the legs 37. Fixed on the lower portion of the other leg 37 is a bracket or the like 47. Pivotally secured at 48 on the bracket 47 is an angulated stay link or latch 49. The link or latch 49 includes an angulated intermediate portion 50 which is engageable with the pin or lug 46 for releasably securing the jaws 41 in open or set position as shown in FIGURE 7 of the drawings.

Formed integrally with the latch or link 49 is an angularly bent trigger 51 comprising on its free end an elongated head or the like 52 with which the garment being hung is engageable, as indicated at 53. A spring 54 yieldingly urges the latch or link 49 toward operative position in engagement with the pin or lug 46.

In use, the legs 37 of the spring 36 are squeezed together to move the arms 39 longitudinally in opposite directions, thus opening the jaws 41. The angularly bent portion 50 of the latch or link 49 then drops into engagement with the pin or lug 46 for securing the device in open or set position. When the garment 53 to be hung is inserted upwardly between the open jaws, the trigger 51 is engaged thereby for disengaging the latch or link 49 from the pin or lug 46. When thus released the spring 36 expands for closing the jaws 41 on the garment.

In the embodiment of FIGURES and 11 of the drawings reference character 55 designates generally a substantially inverted U-shaped hanger or the like. The hanger 55 includes a generally inverted U-shaped leg 56. Iournaled for swinging movement on the bight portion of the U-shaped leg 56 is a pair of parallel legs 57. Fixed on the lower end portions of the legs 56 and 57 are opposed jaws 58 for receiving and gripping the garment therebetween, as indicated at 59. Springs 60 yieldingly "urge the legs 56 and 57 together to close the jaws 58.

Also mounted on the bight portion of the U-shaped leg 56 is a hook 61 for suspending the hanger on a rod 62 or other suitable support.

Fixed on intermediate portions of the jaws 58 are longitudinally curved, inwardly extending arms 63. Heads or push buttons 64 are fixed on the free ends of the arms 63. Fixed on each of the arms 63 is a generally J-shaped guide 65 for the other of said arms. The guides 65 are substantially similar to the guides 27. A toggle 66 has its end portions pivotally secured on the guides 65. The toggle 66 is substantially similar to the toggle 28 with the exception that the trigger 67 thereof includes an arcuate head or plate 68 with which the garment 59 is engageable.

By engaging the thumb and index finger of one hand with the heads or buttons 64 the jaws 58 are opened, thus spreading the legs 56 and 57 and tensioning the springs 60. When this occurs the toggle 66 drops to operative position as shown in FIGURE 10 of the drawings for releasably locking the jaws in open position. When the garment 59 is inserted upwardly between the jaws 58 the trigger 67 is engaged and actuated thereby thus breaking the toggle 66 'for releasing said jaws which are closed on said garmentby the springs 60.

In the modification of FIGURE 12 of the drawings, reference character 69 designates a suspension hook which may be substituted for the hook 24. The hook 29 includes a relatively long shank 70 on which a coat-type hanger bar 71 is mounted. Thus, what may be considered a combination coat, etc. and trouser hanger is had.

In the modification of FIGURE 13 of the drawings, reference character 72 designates an eye bolt which may be used in lieu of the elongated hook 69 on which eye bolt a coat-type hanger 73 is mounted. The eye bolt 72 is slidable on a rod 74 or other suitable support. Thus, unauthorized removal of the hanger. is prevented.

In FIGURE 14 of the drawings reference character 75 designates a bolt which may be used in lieu of the elements 24, 69 and 72, on which bolt a coat-type hanger 76 is mounted. The bolt 75 is inserted upwardly through a vertical hole 77 provided therefor on a rod 78 or other 4 suitable support and has threaded on its upper end portion a retaining nut 79. It will be noted that in this embodiment the hanger is not slidable on the supporting rod but again unauthorized removal is prevented.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, idling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A garment hanger comprising a generally V-shape-d expansible spring comprising divergent legs, inturned parallel arms on the free ends of said legs, opposed jaws on said arms for receiving and gripping a garment therebetween, a lug mounted on one of the arms, and a latch pivotally mounted on one of the legs and engageable with said lug for releasably locking the spring in expanded position with the jaws in open position, said latch including a trigger positionable in the path of a garment being inserted between the jaws for actuation thereby for disengaging said latch from the lug for releasing said jaws.

2. A garment hanger comprising a generally V-shaped expansible spring comprising divergent legs, inturned parallel arms on the free ends of said legs, opposed jaws on the free end portions of said arms for receiving and gripping a garment therebetween, a generally J-shaped guide on one of the arms slidably receiving the other of the arms for retaining said arms against lateral movement relatively to each other, a pin on said guide, a latch pivotally mounted on one of the legs and engageable with said pin for releasably locking the spring in expanded position with the jaws in open position, and a trigger on said latch positionable in the path of a garment being inserted between the jaws for engagement and actuation thereby for disengaging the latch from the pin.

3. In a garment hanger, the combination of a support including a pair of legs movable laterally toward and away from each other, a pair of juxtaposed arms provided on the respective legs, a pair of opposed jaws carried by the respective arms for receiving and gripping a garment therebetween, resilient means biasing said legs in a direction whereby said jaws are urged together, 3. lug mounted on one of said arms, and a latch pivotally mounted on the leg of the other arm, said latch being engageable with said lug for releasably locking said jaws in an open position against the action of said resilient means, said latch including a trigger positionable in the path of a garment inserted between said jaws for actuation thereby to disengage the latch from said lug for releasing said jaws.

4. The device as defined in claim 3 wherein said lug includes a substantially J-shaped member mounted on said one of said arms and slidably receiving the other arm for retaining said arms against lateral movement relative to each other, and a pin provided on said J-shaped member, said latch being lockingly engageable with said pin.

5. The device as defined in claim 4 together with resilient means connected to said latch and to the associated leg for urging the latch in locking engagement with said P References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,022,295 Bowman Apr. 2, 1912 2,200,669 Cook May 14, 1940 2,473,898 Muntwyler et al. June 21, 1949 2,792,979 Cole May 21, 1959 2,889,094 Vigor June 2, 1959 

